the GirlKyle

"I don't like it until I know I like it." - Me Hello, I'm Kyle. I am a girl with a boy's name. You can call me girl kyle. I'm obsessed with cupcakes, baking them and my macbook. I love crafting, be it the perfect frosting swirl or a new sidewalk...

[thegirlkyle]

Bad Ass Hair // Ceramic Mug

Coffee mug reads: "TOO BUSY BEING A BAD ASS And worrying about my hair".   The perfect gift for anyone with fabulous hair.  This listing is for a white 11oz mug with typography. Back side has small TGK logo. Mug is dishwasher and microwave safe.

[thegirlkyle]

California Girl // Ceramic Mug

Coffee mug reads "CALIFORNIA GIRL" The perfect gift for anyone born here or is just a California girl at heart.  This listing is for a white 11oz mug with typography reading "CALIFORNIA GIRL" Back side has small TGK logo. Mug is dishwasher and microwave safe.

[thegirlkyle]

My Weekend According To My iPhone

Top Left: Snuggling at the end of the weekend with my two little furry friends.

Top Right: I couldn't help a photo opp with this stunning and totally unnecessary mosaic horse at HomeGoods.

Bottom Right:  My beers from around the world flight at the Anheuser Busch brewery tour.  More on that later this week!

Bottom Left: Cheers Christmas tree!  This is how I prepared for the aformentioned tour.

[thegirlkyle]

CHIC FRIENDSGIVING SOIREE With BFFF

Last week I hinted that I was up to something fun with Melissa of Best Friends for Frosting and today I'm excited to share a few photos from our fun friendsgiving meal!

Check out Melissa's site to see the fun shoot in it's entirety and her recipe for a side dish WITH potato chips.  Bacon and Kettle potato chips - what's not to love?!

[thegirlkyle]

With A Cherry On Top

As a Pinterest addict I can admit that every pin doesn't always turn out the best.  PLEASE tell me you've seen the Pinterest Fail site??  It makes me laugh so hard, but this is not one of those times.  This is a grand success and the timing couldn't have been better.  I made these for an awesome coworker's birthday.  His parents were with him on his birthday and came to see where he works so this turned out to be an extra special treat! 

Take a look at the inspiration... Pretty dead on right?  I could NOT find cherries with stems though.  If anyone has any ideas please do share. 

To make these birthday treats I stuck with my most favorite vanilla cake recipe and vanilla frosting.  As a slight cheat for the "sundae's" chocolate sauce I used chocolate melts instead of your traditional chocolate chips from the grocery store.  After you've melted the chocolate into a sauce I would recommend letting it cool slightly and it gives you the ability to mold that drippy, sauce look.

Very Vanilla Cupcakes

Ingredients

1 1/4 cup all purpose flour

1 cup cake flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 1/3 cups sugar

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup milk

4 large egg whites, room temperature

1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place the racks in the center position. Line cupcake tins with cupcake liners. Set aside.

In a large bowl combine both flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine.

In a medium bowl whisk together the milk, sour cream, and egg whites. Set aside.

Fit a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, or use a hand mixer (I got a better dome with the hand mixer). Add the butter, sugar and vanilla bean paste to the bowl and beat at medium speed for 3 minutes, or until light. Scrape the sides as necessary.

Add the vanilla extract and one third of the flour mixture while beating on medium speed, again scraping the sides as needed. Beat in half of the sour cream mixture. Alternately add the remaining flour mixture and sour cream until all the wet and dry ingredients have added, beating until the batter fully incorporated and smooth.

Use a large ice cream scoop, evenly divide the batter between 22 lined muffin tins filling each about 2/3 of the way full.

Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centers come out clean. Cool pan on wire rack for less than 5 minutes, then transfer cupcakes to the rack to finish cooling.

Vanilla Bean Buttercream

3 sticks unsalted butter, softened

1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste

2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract (to maintain the bright white color)

1 ½ pounds (24 ounces) confectioners’ sugar

2-6 tablespoons heavy cream

Preparation

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the butter and vanilla bean paste. Beat until fluffy. Turn the mixer to low speed and slowly add the confectioners' sugar while continuing to beat.  I add one cup of powdered sugar at a time.

Once well blended, add in the vanilla and 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk. Mix on low speed until well combined and moist. If desired, an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk until your desired consistency is reached. Beat at high speed until frosting is smooth and fluffy.

{Please note that if you're using the vanilla bean paste, the frosting won't be a bright white as mentioned in the ingredients.  I didn't use the paste for these cupcakes.}

[thegirlkyle]

Hello?

Where does all my time go?  I've never considered myself a busy person.  I definitely consider myself to be social, but not one of those people who run around all the time saying they're so busy.  It seems that without my knowing it I have now become that person!  Not permanently, but life is pretty chaotic right now.  

What's been going on?  Glad you asked!

For one the hubs finally had surgery on his spine.  Much needed relief after two accidents that occurred last year!  He's doing well, but can't drive and has to be very careful during the healing process.  Send all your good energy his way :)

Then we thought, let's pile on some extra stress!  Spinal surgery is kind of a big deal, but Mr. G and I decided to finally start the process of buying a house.  That makes sense right?  Big decisions should always be made while on serious painkillers!  

During all this I baked TWO HUNDRED cupcakes for my friend's wedding!  All in one evening with two Kitchen Aids, a double oven and my mad skillz.

Lastly, my new job... well thanks to my employer I've been volunteering with the California Assembly Democrats.  Who the hell would have thought?!  Certainly not me, but I'm a team player.  It even says so on my business card.  Just the one though, I don't want that getting all over the place. ;)

That basically sums up the last couple months.  I want so badly to be a better blogger because this site has always been like a mix of a scrapbook and planner for me.  Right now we've got some serious holes in my story and I'm going to my best to fix that!  

Is it too early for resolutions?  

[thegirlkyle]

My Weekend According To My iPhone

I spent my second weekend in a row in South Lake Tahoe.  (socialite!)  This time with a couple coworkers who introduced me to the delicious and very alcoholic Wet Woodies.  Have you ever had one?  They are deadly, but it doesn't stop me from wishing I had a rum slushy machine in my house.  :) The weather was perfect, the company was great, but now I'm ready to go back for winter and snow!

[thegirlkyle]

I hope to never be too old for a birthday crown! If you haven't done so already - check out the blog to learn how to make this perfect, mini crown. 👑

[thegirlkyle]

Before and After: Shabby Chic Office Set

I love a good before and after.  Weight loss, beauty makeover, furniture - you name it!  As often as I repurpose different furniture pieces you'd think I'd have a lot more to share here, but I'm TERRIBLE about taking photos of my progress.

This time is really no different, but I did remember to at least take some before photos.  I took the 'before' last year when I tried to sell the pieces 'as is' on Craigslist.  I got a few little nibbles, but since then they've been collecting dust in our garage.  

As you may have heard, Mr. G and I are saving $$ to buy a house so now I figure let's get rid of everything we're not using!  Any little thing helps and when we do move then hopefully we'll have an empty garage and less to actually move.

What you missed seeing is me sweating over these pieces this weekend with the sunscreen running into my eyes, sanding and polishing to perfection!  Now my project is complete and looking for a chic new home Sacramento.  If you're interested in purchasing these pieces check them out here.

*puppy not included

[thegirlkyle]

My Weekend According To My iPhone

In case you've been curious about my whereabouts or what I've been up to I can sum it up in one word - PAINTING.  My girl friend and her husband just got into their second home and my SIL is working towards putting her bachelorette pad up for sale.  I'm an experienced painter so I've been tied up, but hopefully someday in the near future it will all be paid forward when Mr. G and I buy our first home!  Plus alcohol really eases the pain...  Paint brush in one hand, beverage in the other and my favorite tunes on the radio.

Have a great week all!

[thegirlkyle]

For Sale: Gold Dipped Furniture

Last year I upcycled a dining room set from Mr. G's days as a bachelor.  It sold within in the day and after that he'd caught the bug!  He was bringing home different pieces hoping for me to "flip" them, but I was pooped and so it's sat in the garage for MONTHS.  Until a couple weeks ago... When I first saw this set I knew THIS was their destiny!  Dipped furniture is all the rage and the cylinder legs would be perfect.

So now they're FINALLY done and for sale!  If you live in the Sacramento area, check it out and make us an offer!

[thegirlkyle]

Strawberries + Cream Jell-O Shots

In my opinion we're never too old for Jell-O shots.  I probably enjoy them more frequently now than I did in college.  I think they're great when you're at an outdoor concert or something fun to bring and share at a party.  I'm a big fan of on the go beverages.  I really like getting creative now with all the different flavored vodka options that are in the supermarket.  I bought a bottle of Smirnoff's iced cake vodka for a fancy recipe I saw in People magazine in January and it was not tasty so the partially used bottle has been sitting ever since.  Until I came up with this!

[Make according to Jell-O box directions]

Dissolve the package of strawberry jell-o in 2 cups boiling water, stirring until gelatin is dissolved

Stir in chilled iced cake vodka

Pour mixture into 2oz plastic cups (I buy mine at Smart &Final) 

Let shots set in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours

Spray with a dollop of homemade whipped cream

I brought these to a birthday picnic at a winery (classy, I know) and they were a BIG hit!  I'm sharing these now because I thought they'd be fun for you to make in honor of our nation's upcoming birthday.  Maybe drop a blueberry into the whipped cream to achieve the complete red, white and blue look and then bottoms up! :)

[thegirlkyle]

Milk. It's Not Just For Babies.

To some of you this may sound sinful, but I love milk.  Most adults think that's weird or gross, but when did milk become uncool??  Milk and I started to battle a bit in my early 20s when I stopped playing volleyball and I joined WW.  I didn't want to use my precious points towards a glass of milk when I could apply that instead to the coming weekend's cocktails.  Probably not what the group was talking about when we discussed a "lifestyle change", but you've got to pick your battles.  Since my days of meetings and calculating points are long behind me, my love for dairy is back in full swing.

I'll take dairy in pretty much all forms - cheese and crackers, mac and cheese, and ice cream cones.  I love me some FULL FAT!  Heavy cream in my coffee, vitamin D with my oatmeal.  Judge me.

Speaking of CHEESE, take a look at this interesting cheese timeline. My favorite is that cheese was given as a royal wedding gift in 1840.  I bet my friend Kaila would fully support this type of gift, even if it wasn't on the registry!

I'd like you to rethink dairy because it's not the enemy.  Everything in moderation (I learned that at WW), but if you don't believe me check out this link.  And tonight, I'll celebrate the final day of Dairy Month with a big fat bowl of ice cream! :)

[thegirlkyle]

My Weekend According To My iPhone

When I don't take a lot of picture on the weekend it could mean a couple of things.. One, I did nothing.  Two, I was having so much fun I didn't even think about my phone or three, I was too busy holding a drink in my hand.  I'd say this weekend was a combination of the last two.  Mr. G and I had one final wedding celebration with friends and family.  I spent most of the weekend preparing and then cleaning up from said party.  The only break was for my niece's swim meet.  Now I feel like I need another weekend to recover from this weekend!

[thegirlkyle]

Farmers' Libations

A few weeks ago I attended Raley's and FSB amazing dinner to benefit their Food For Families program at Vierra Farms.  It's funny how I've lived in Sacramento my whole life and just recently I stumbled into some really unique, local spots that I never realized existed.  My friend Kaila and I had a great time running around this beautiful venue and for anyone newly engaged - I highly recommend checking this place out!  It's a rustic bride-to-be's dream.

FSB had countless special details that pulled us in from the moment we drove up.  We passed through a set of shabby wooden doors to enter the orchard for the "libations" part of the evening.  Old metal Coca-Cola ice chests held cider and cold beers and a fun old timey, jazz band performed among the trees.  Someone's Pinterest board had come to fruition!

Even in the country we were not left without power.  Some people really think of everything.  Charge those iPhones and Instagram the heck out of this event we did!

At one point Kaila and I snuck off to Dave's Jumping Pillow and helped ourselves to this airbag of awesomeness.  Do not confuse it with trampoline!  It was so much fun!  Not sure if it was the drinks or the company, but we were having too much.

And of course there was dessert!  I was truly impressed with the event and this is coming from the daughter of a caterer.  I usually find it hard to sit back and enjoy myself at an event or a restaurant because you tend to have such a critical eye - watching the staff, critiquing the food, but everyone did a really wonderful job.  Down to the have dinner coffee!  Thank you to everyone and I'm so glad Raley's was able to raise so much money for a great cause.

[thegirlkyle]

My Weekend According To My iPhone

I had what I'd consider a very creative weekend, filled with spray paint, sprinkles and snapshots!  I'm really looking forward to sharing the photos that were taken this weekend by a real true, blue photographer.  In the meantime I'll share my silly iPhone shots, but fun projects are in full swing over here at TGK.  Check back soon! 

[thegirlkyle]

My Weekend According To My iPhone

I could have literally filled every picture in this collage with a different cocktail.  Friday and Saturday I celebrated my friend's 21st birthday.  I gave it my best shot and partied like I was a decade younger!  We braved the heat on Saturday and rode bike's from East Sac to Midtown and back.  Each stop we guzzled a refreshingly cold beverage from champagne to lemon drop shooters to margaritas.  Nothing was out of the question.  On Sunday I switched gears, staying in bed and watching movies all day with the pups.  It was glorious and I didn't let the heat wave hold me down.